Author: Cathy Naidoo

The State of the Nation Address by the President of South Africa is certainly among the most important days in the calendar year for any South African citizen. It is where the President of the Republic of South Africa, Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma from the African National Congress (ANC) ruling party takes centre stage and outlines what the country and presidency will focus on for the year ahead.

Following numerous parliamentary documents submitted by committee and government officials alike, regarding the business of certain departments, the Presidency aims to create clarity regarding what the nation deems as vitally important going forward.

To make sure you are prepared before watching this or any future SONA, ask yourself the following questions. Read More

The increasing popularity of mobile devices and the rise of cellular data has effectively resulted in mobile business. And, by mobile business, we don’t mean fast food vans and roving dog grooming parlours. Thanks to the global connectivity we are currently experiencing, it is possible to access information from almost anywhere in the world, whenever you need it. And, thanks to legal information services, the field of law is no exception.

With all the technological advances, the transformation phase might be difficult for some businesses to adapt to. As mentioned, the fact that people can conduct business meetings and broker deals from restaurants, coffee shops, and airport terminals means that the sheer pace of modern business has increased exponentially. Any business that doesn’t adapt to these changes risks being left behind.

Fortunately, legal information systems mean that businesses which need to cross reference legal information on the spot are able to do so. But, how accessible are these legal information services, and how are they utilised?

A Closer Look at Legal Information Services

Over the past 30 years, our commitment to facilitating access to information has seen us flourish from providing purely library support services – central platforms for collaboration and resource sharing among libraries – to offering customised information-centric services for libraries, corporates, small businesses, students, the media and researchers

Our legal information systems encompass a wide range of offerings, including current and historical legislation, citation references, news articles, journals and publications. These documents are widely accessed by a variety of users, both public and private. But, even more remarkable than the scope of this resource is its ease of access.

With regards to the accessibility of the legal documents available from this particular South African legal information platform we would have to say that the term ‘easy’ still doesn’t fully describe it.

Being fully digital, our legal information is never further away than the touch of a screen. Compliance and law-based decisions don’t need to be put off; they can be researched on the spot, on any computer or mobile device with internet access.

Through Sabinet, a user can access a massive database of various documents on the spot. And, importantly, this database is broad. Updated frequently, the latest information to be published in the legal field is readily available to users. And, if past precedents are relevant to the search, users can access historical information dating back over a century.

So, if you need to bring ease and speed to your legal referencing, this is the kind of legal information institute you need. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. To ensure that your business can compete in the fast-paced digital age, contact Sabinet today!

Speaking generally, a bargaining council is an entity formed within specific industries that mediate matters such as labour disputes, the creation of collective agreements, and the establishment of schemes and proposals on policies and laws.

But, when we speak less generally, do all bargaining councils work the same way? For example, does the clothing bargaining council or the bargaining council for hairdressing work differently from the bargaining council for the restaurant and catering trade? And, do these bargaining councils work differently from those in other industries?

To answer these questions, let us take a brief look at each one individually:

Clothing Bargaining Council

The council for clothing manufacturing industry details many powers and functions relative to its operation. Among these are the conclusion and enforcement of collective agreements, the establishment of funds for dispute resolution, the establishment of training as well as medial and sick pay schemes, the development of proposals regarding policy and legislation, and so on.

Bargaining Council for Hairdressing

The hairdressing council falls under the National Bargaining Council for the Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare industry, the parties of which comprise the union (UASA) and the employers (EOHCB). This particular council’s objectives promote collective bargaining, reaching collective agreements, and preventing and resolving disputes within the industry. It also deals with wage discrepancies, sick pay, etc.

Bargaining Council for the Restaurant and Catering Trade

The council for the restaurant industry lists its services as the prevention and resolution of labour disputes, the establishment of education and training schemes, reaching collective agreements, the provision of industrial support services, and the establishment and administration of pension, provident, medical aid, sick pay, holiday and unemployment funds, among others.

Some services may differ slightly in semantics, but generally speaking each industry’s bargaining council offers similar services to workers in that industry.

Bargaining Council Pretoria or Bargaining Council Parow?

The physical location of a particular bargaining council doesn’t necessarily affect its ability to help workers in the industry it represents. The bargaining councils detailed above operate on a national basis, meaning that they are prepared to offer assistance to employees of their respective industries nationwide.

So, whether it is a bargaining council Pretoria or a bargaining council Parow, a national bargaining council has the means to offer help to all South African workers in the industry it oversees.

For the specifics on bargaining councils and how they work, be sure to contact Sabinet today!

Provincial Legislation(Provincial NetLaw) from Sabinet, is a first for South Africa. This innovative concept, which provides users with a platform to access the country’s Provincial Legislation, Principal Acts, Rules and Regulations, is updated daily and contains the latest amendments and versions. Aside from giving users information which is applicable for today, it also provides the original versions of these Acts, Rules and Regulations as they appeared at different periods in history, since 1910.

Going back in history

The NetLaw App is not only beneficial for individuals who practice law, but also for students as well. Aside from providing reliable and up to date information on Provincial Legislation, it also allows people to search Sabinet’s extensive archives and go to a specific date or period in history (from 1910), and read up on the different laws which were in place at that time. This is an interesting feature as it allows students to see how certain Acts and Regulations have changed over the years and also view the different amendments which have been made.

Stay up to date with the free mobile NetLaw App

The free mobile NetLaw App, which is available for iPhones, allows you to easily access important information whenever you may need it. It also offers a range of other benefits as well, including:

Users can personalise any content which they receive notifications about. This will make it easy for users to group information according to topic or client.

The ability to use the app at any time, even when you are offline.

Users will receive regular updates on information pertaining to the legislation.

Sabinet users can add notes to different sections. This will make it easier for individuals to refer to specific information or details at a later date.

The legislation in South Africa is aimed at maintaining a complete body of law that is well structured and fair. Legislation is important as it sets the standards which are applied for governing people within the public and private sectors of the country. Legislation Acts, which are also known as statutory law, are laws which have been implemented by a governing body.

Types of Legislation

In order to have a complete body of law, it is necessary to focus on all areas of the law. As such, the South African Legislation Acts cover all areas, ranging from employment and consumer protection to maritime and heritage resources.

Other South African Acts cover resources such as national water as well as mineral and petroleum resources, ensuring the proper protection and management of those resources. Similarly, they ensure that occupational health and safety as well as mine safety are given the proper amount of attention on a national basis.

Yet it is the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act of 1996 that acts as a precedent. All the types of legislation in South Africa must be arbitrated against the Constitution Act of 1996 and, if necessary, amended accordingly. The Constitution set the bar for positive progress under a new government, and is thus a foundation for newer Acts and amendments.

Why NetLaw Is So Important

With Legislation Acts covering deeds registries, alienation of land, copyright, fencing, advertising on roads, mining titles, spatial data infrastructure, and much more, accessing all the Acts can become tiresome and logistically difficult. However, there is a way to gain instant access to an up-to-date database of legislation through NetLaw.

But not only does NetLaw allow you to access the latest legislation and amendments, it also gives you access to historical legislation dating back to 1910. Furthermore, searching for specific pieces of legislation has never been easier since NetLaw provides alphabetical and chronological lists of Acts.

South African legislation is broad and rich as a result of its history, which can make it overwhelming. But, thanks to NetLaw, it is easily accessible and easy to sort through.

Though the phrase ‘information superhighway’ was coined decades ago, it is still a relevant and very accurate description of the Internet. With the number of connected users skyrocketing, the Internet has become the first place people go in order to find information. This is important for the legal sector not only because it makes it easy for legal practitioners to access consolidated national legislation, but also because it is the first point of reference for people seeking legal services.

In the past people may have simply based their searches for legal services on the proximity of the offices or a friend’s referral, and simply hoped that the fees were in line with their budget. Nowadays, however, online users are more informed, and use the Internet to help them find the best services for their requirements.

The Internet has Changed Everything

Rory MccGwire, the brain behind the Donuts website group, understands that the Internet has changed the way in which consumers contact businesses. And, importantly, he believes that this will soon radically affect the way in which users access the law.

MccGwire believes that since consumers are now tending to make more informed choices, they will soon be extremely specific in the type of law firms they choose to contact. They will first inform themselves as to the specifics of their needs and gain some background knowledge on the section of the law they are to access, and then base their decisions regarding law practitioners on their understanding of their needs. They will, of course, also base their decision on their budgets and whether their desired law firms can operate within those constraints.

What This Means for Legal Practitioners

The fact that consumers are now, and will continue to be more informed as to their legal requirements means that legal practitioners need to devote more effort to their online resources. This means more than just marketing themselves through digital channels, although this is a good start. To truly have an impact in an increasingly digital world, legal practitioners need to show consumers that their resources are as abundant as the wealth of information available online.

Consolidated National Legislation via NetLaw

Sabinet’s NetLaw helps law practitioners move parts of their services online. Or, if they are exclusively Internet-based, it allows them to conduct all of their research and preparation through one online channel.

With a host of benefits, a convenient mobile app, and a wealth of resources and historical documentation, NetLaw is the perfect way for law practitioners to meet the higher demands of informed net users.

For information on how to access this world of digital resources, contact Sabinet today.

In today’s modern and digital age, you can find information on just about any topic by simply searching the Internet. There are also various online platforms being designed on a daily basis to keep users in touch with the latest developments in the world around them. Sabinet is staying ahead with all these technological advances and have introduced the free Mobile NetLaw App to subscribers, making it easy and convenient for users to stay up to date with the national legislation which is currently in place.

Updated legislation information at your fingertips

NetLaw contains updated and consolidated information pertaining to South African Principal Acts, Rules and Regulations, dating back to 1910. With daily updates on new legislation or amendments, NetLaw provides users with any relevant information they may require. You also have the advantage of being able to easily email, print or download complete and unabridged versions of Acts, Amended Acts as well as Rules and Regulations.

Seven benefits of South African Legislation (Netlaw)

Users will receive newsletters on a weekly basis which will include information on principal Acts, any new amendments and drafts for people to comment on.

Documents are clearly listed and the Amendments are neatly marked, making it easy for users to spot the latest updates and changes.

Acts which are in force are listed in an alphabetical and chronological order.

It is easy for online users to access any Court Forms which are published in the Gazette.

Complete and unabridged text regulations as well as draft regulations are easily accessible.

The app offers cross-linking between relevant sections of different Acts. Not only will this save you time, it will make cross-referencing simpler and quicker.

By downloading the NetLaw app, you will not only have a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips, but you will also be able to access legislative information whenever you may require it.

WorldShare Management Services (WMS) offers a straightforward way to manage the functions of ordering, cataloguing and circulating, while electronic resource management and a discovery portal complete this comprehensive management service.